The Leap to the Cabinet
by Claire Brady, EdD
“The title change is just the beginning; the shift in scope, mindset, and influence is profound.”
I’ve served on two executive cabinets in my higher education career—once as an internal promotion, and once as an external hire. I’ve also had the privilege of serving as an executive coach for cabinet members across the country. From both perspectives, I’ve seen how the leap from great manager to great executive can be both exhilarating and daunting. The title change is just the beginning; the shift in scope, mindset, and influence is profound. And in higher education, where decisions ripple across entire communities, the stakes are even higher.
In higher education, leadership transitions aren’t just promotions—they’re inflection points that shape the future of institutions, students, and communities. Yet, as Korn Ferry’s recent analysis reminds us, even in the corporate world, as many as half of newly promoted executives fail within their first 18 months. Why? Because the skills that make someone a great manager don’t automatically translate into success as an executive.
For higher education leaders navigating that shift—or preparing emerging talent for it—here are five takeaways tailored to our sector.
See the Entire Institution, Not Just Your Division
A great dean or vice president can run their unit exceptionally well. A great executive sees—and stewards—the entire enterprise. That means understanding the budget model, enrollment strategy, research portfolio, student experience, fundraising, external relations, and community impact in an integrated way. It’s not enough to be a champion for your own area; you must collaborate across silos and build solutions that serve the whole institution.
Balance “Run the College” and “Change the College”
We live in the tension between operational excellence and transformation. We must deliver on today’s enrollment, retention, and fiscal goals while preparing for tomorrow’s demographic shifts, workforce needs, and technological disruptions. That includes leading responsibly in the age of AI. The modern higher ed executive doesn’t need to be a coder—but they do need AI literacy to make informed decisions about policy, pedagogy, and institutional adoption. Lean too far into innovation, and the day-to-day can falter; focus only on the present, and you risk falling behind.
Lead Through Constant Complexity
Shifting public trust, volatile funding, and rapidly evolving technology demand leaders who can navigate “crisis leadership as the norm.” Executive presence plays a critical role here—not as a matter of charisma, but as the ability to project steadiness, communicate clearly, and inspire confidence in moments of uncertainty. Great executives know when to call on trusted advisors, lean into collective problem-solving, and model transparency even when the path forward is unclear.
Stay Agile, Even After Success
Past achievements can be a springboard or a stumbling block. Agile executives seek diverse perspectives, invite constructive dissent, and adapt quickly when conditions change. In higher ed, that may mean rethinking academic programs, responding to disruptions of the workforce, or piloting partnerships outside traditional boundaries—all while anchoring decisions in the institution’s mission and values.
Build the Next Generation of Leaders
A great executive’s legacy is measured in the leaders they develop. That means creating opportunities for high-potential colleagues to lead cross-functional projects, gain AI and data fluency, and practice executive presence early in their careers. This investment strengthens institutional resilience and reduces the risk of leadership gaps during transitions.
Leading Beyond Your Lane
The move from great manager to great executive is more than a shift in title—it’s a leap from managing your lane to steering the whole ship. In our sector, where the stakes include student success, research impact, and public trust, making that leap well demands institutional vision, executive presence, and fluency in the forces—like AI—that will shape higher education for decades to come.
